Suella Braverman accused of being 'sock puppet' for Tory right and fuelling rebellion against her own migrant plan

27 March 2023, 06:42 | Updated: 27 March 2023, 08:37

Suella Braverman has been accused of being a 'sock puppet' for the Tory right
Suella Braverman has been accused of being a 'sock puppet' for the Tory right. Picture: Getty

By Kit Heren

Suella Braverman has been accused of being a "sock puppet" for the right wing of the Conservative party, who are demanding that she strengthen measures to handle the small boat crisis.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The home secretary met backbench rebels on the right of her party over the weekend and reportedly told them she will strengthen the government's migration bill to allow ministers to ignore European judges' rulings on deportations.

Led by Boris Johnson's former political secretary Danny Kruger, the 50 or so potential opponents of the Illegal Migration Bill have asked for numerous added clauses to the law.

They include allowing ministers to flout European legal advice, bar migrants from protections under Britain's domestic human rights laws and more restrictions to filing appeals, according to The Times.

Ms Braverman has now promised the rebels that she will consider their concerns before the bill becomes law, it reported, in return for them not adding amendments to the legislation this week.

But some within the government have claimed that Ms Braverman is working with the backbench rebels to force ministers to strengthen the migrants bill and put pressure on Rishi Sunak.

“She wants to use it to spook us to offer concessions to get them to drop their amendments because a big rebellion would be embarrassing,” a source told the Times. “She has basically become a sock puppet for the right.”

A source close to Ms Braverman denied the claim and said it was a "scurrilous" rumour.

Meanwhile government legal advisers reportedly oppose the plan, while attorney general Victoria Prentis is said to be concerned it would break international law.

Not a single migrant has been sent to Rwanda for offshore processing since the government announced its flagship migrant policy almost one year ago.

Read more: Laughing gas to be banned as government plans crackdown on anti-social behaviour

Read more: Suella Braverman promises Rwanda deportations 'by summer' as home secretary visits new-build housing for asylum seekers

Danny Kruger is leading a rebel group of 50 to 60 Conservative MPs who believe the Illegal Migration Bill needs hardening
Danny Kruger is leading a rebel group of 50 to 60 Conservative MPs who believe the Illegal Migration Bill needs hardening. Picture: Alamy

The government is also thought to be working with the UN's refugee agency to create a safe route for 20,000 migrants each year.

Meanwhile centrist Tory rebels led by Tim Loughton are said to be working with Labour on proposing an amendment to the bill, the Telegraph reported.

The Illegal Migration Bill will return to the House of Commons on Monday and will be formally unveiled by Ms Braverman in the coming days.

Mr Kruger told the newspaper: “We are hopeful that the Government will see the sense of further strengthening the Bill, and we are hoping that is what we will get from Suella Braverman at the dispatch box.”

Channel migrants are pictured being processed in Dover
Channel migrants are pictured being processed in Dover. Picture: Alamy

One source told The Times that Ms Braverman had delayed publishing the bill until concerns were addressed, while another denied that she was sympathetic to the rebels' cause.

A government spokesperson said: “The prime minister and the home secretary have worked tirelessly together to come up with a bill that does what’s necessary to stop the boats while complying with international law.

"We do not believe it is necessary to leave the ECHR to stop the boats, and have constructed the legislation carefully [...] to ensure we can get flights off to Rwanda as soon as possible.”

Caller says Boris Johnson should be deported to Rwanda

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Nissan car dealership

Nissan to shut seven factories and slash 20,000 jobs globally in bid to cut costs

Sir Bradley Wiggins (left) with cyclist son Ben Wiggins

'My son feared I’d die after I became a cocaine addict', says Sir Bradley Wiggins

Marks and Spencer has kept its physical shops open

Was my data stolen in M&S cyber attack and when will it be back online?

The crash site in Hrabove, Ukraine of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, which was shot down over Ukraine.

Russia responsible for downing MH17 flight over Ukraine, UN rules

Andy Murray (left) and Novak Djokovic who will “no longer be working together”, the Scot’s representatives have announced.

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic ‘will no longer be working together’ - as split announced days before French Open

French Actor Gérard Depardieu Faces Trial Over Sexual Assault Allegations

French actor Gerard Depardieu found guilty of sexually assaulting two women and handed 18 month suspended jail term

Exclusive
Ms Cooper made the remarks on LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast.

'We need action in waters, not just the coast', says Home Secretary as she slams French response to small boats

Marks and Spencer on Oxford Street in London.

M&S admits customers' personal data was stolen by hackers in cyber attack

Court hears how Sean 'Diddy' Combs forced women into 'freak offs' as sex trafficking trial begins in New York

Court hears how Sean 'Diddy' Combs forced women into 'freak offs' as sex trafficking trial begins in New York

a deadly bacteria has seen several Spar products recalled

Major supermarket urgently recalls chicken after discovering deadly bacteria

Kim Kardashian attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City.

Kim Kardashian to appear in court as witness in $10m 'grandpa robbers' burglary case in Paris

A man has been arrested in connection with fires at properties linked to Keir Starmer

Man arrested in connection with 'arson with intent to endanger life' after fires at sites linked to Keir Starmer

An obese child looking down

Smart scales and special clinics to help thousands of obese children lose weight

Exclusive
.

‘It’s not worth the high’: Ketamine addicts getting younger and showing more severe signs of bladder issues

ROMANIA NATO DACIA SPRING EXERCICE

Three Belgian soldiers injured in training exercise in Scotland

Peter Sullivan was jailed in 1987 but could soon walk free

Man’s murder conviction considered at Court of Appeal after 38 years in prison